Mikhail Gorbachev for Pizza Hut

Although former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev isn't technically a celebrity, his commercial for Pizza Hut in 1997 was just too random not to mention here. The ad, which is subtitled, features Gorbachev chowing down in a very rustic-looking pizza restaurant while people praise his political prowess. The whole thing was meant to promote Pizza Hut's "the edge" pizza, which had toppings that went all the way to the edge of the crust. Please explain.